Tunneling the Humber

From The Kearney Files
Lincolnshire Echo Friday November 27th 1931



Tunneling the Humber
High speed drill advocated
Next move?

Mr. E. W. Chalmers Kearney the man who is prepared to connect Hull with New Holland by tunnel under the Humber and is the inventor of a high speed tube railway which could do such a journey in two minutes and a half has been overwhelmed with letters from Hull and Lincoln on the subject. As the "Lincolnshire Echo" has already reported Mr. Kearney was approached by a Scunthorpe engineer with a request for advice on whether a tunnel under the Humber was a practical proposition. Mr. Kearney said "yes" and adds that the tunnel should be one for general traffic as well as passengers in the high speed tube train. Today.

                                              "One yard per hour"

Mr. Kearney also revealed that if such a scheme were proceeded with he would bring from Australia a wonder tunneling machine which tunnels at a rate far in excess of anything in this country and which would reduce the cost of making the tunnel to a great extent.
The rotary tunneler was used to make the Geelong tunnel which was completed a few months ago under the direction of an associate of mine Mr C. D. Hancock said Mr. Kearney, it actually tunneled at one time of one yard per hour. This was truly amazing rate of progress and finished the tunnel of 5,000 yards finished in record time. No other machine in the world could have done the work in that time. Supposing it was decided to build a general tunnel under the Humber, I should not hesitate to bring this machine across and use it, it would save a great deal of money and I calculate a single two mile tunnel could be made in one year. " I have received a number of letters from people who saw the suggestion in your valuable paper. Many of them declared that such a project would receive the support of all the local people.
The curious thing is that most of the letters come from Lincolnshire where I understand most of the opposition in the proposed bridge came from. The position is now who will make the first move? Mr. Kearney awaits.